2.0 Analysis 2.1 Operational Factors The E.L.M. had been routinely operated over the previous six years by the father and one other crew member, reportedly without difficulty and in similar conditions of stability and seaworthiness. The fishing routine had included carefully assessing and anticipating sea conditions, taking into account the prevailing and forecast weather and the local tidal peculiarities. The son's wife's experience was limited and, although the son had experience, this operation was different from his usual occupation in terms of geographical location, type of fishing, and vessel size. 2.2 Stability Considerations Being of open construction, the vessel had no watertight decks or compartments which would have provided additional intact reserve buoyancy. The reserve buoyancy depended solely upon the freeboard provided by the intact hull. The weight, surging and free-surface effect of the water shipped and retained on board before the sinking further reduced the vessel's effective freeboard and reserve buoyancy and lowered the transverse stability until it was insufficient to withstand the dynamic heeling forces imposed by the rough sea conditions. The reported sequence of events is consistent with a progressive flooding until the vessel was unable to recover from a heavy roll to starboard which immersed the gunwale. The resulting downflooding continued until all reserve buoyancy was lost and the vessel sank. 2.3 Abandonment Aspects Under the prevailing conditions, and knowing that the vessel would probably sink, the crew determined that the vessel could possibly be beached. This was considered the best alternative since there was neither a lifeboat nor liferaft on board. An inflatable liferaft allows the crew to consider the option of abandoning the vessel in such circumstances. 3.0 Conclusions 3.1 Findings The weight and location of the additional fishing gear reduced the vessel's effective freeboard and lowered the transverse stability. The additional weight of the fish catch aft further reduced the effective freeboard and made the vessel more vulnerable to shipping sea water. Deteriorating weather conditions and local tidal peculiarities resulted in rough sea conditions. The E.L.M. began to ship water in the rough sea conditions that developed. The weight, surging and free-surface effect of the shipped water lowered the transverse stability until it was insufficient to withstand the dynamic heeling forces imposed by the prevailing sea conditions. The accumulation of shipped water continued until, on a heavy roll to starboard, all reserve buoyancy was lost and the vessel sank. The vessel was not carrying an inflatable liferaft. 3.2 Causes The E.L.M. sank because structural changes carried out when the vessel was converted to stern trawling made her vulnerable to shipping seas and, in the prevailing rough weather, progressive flooding continued until all reserve buoyancy was lost. 4.0 Safety Action 4.1 Action Taken 4.1.1 Vessel Modifications Small fishing vessels under 15 gross registered tons (GRT), such as the E.L.M., are not inspected by the Canadian Coast Guard. Many small fishing vessel operators are not aware that modifications to the structure of their vessel and the addition of heavy fishing gear on deck can adversely affect the vessel's stability, reduce the freeboard and compromise crew safety in adverse weather conditions. In its report on the investigation into the sinking of the 58-ton fishing vessel LE BOUT DE LIGNE (TSB report No. M90L3033) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Board recommended, inter alia, that: The Department of Transport emphasize, through a safety awareness programme for owners, operators and officers of fishing vessels, the adverse effects of structural modifications and additional items on vessel stability; and The Department of Transport explore means to ensure that structural modifications and addition of weight items are recorded and accounted for in re-assessing the stability of small fishing vessels. In response to these recommendations, the Canadian Coast Guard, in cooperation with the fishing industry, will emphasize the adverse effects that structural modifications may have on vessel stability. This will be done through Ship Safety Bulletins, face-to-face meetings with owners and operators of fishing vessels, and by amending the Small Fishing Vessel Safety Manual, TP 10038.